Trimming spout



E. B. sTRpM ET AL TRIMMING SPOUI' July 29, 1941.

Filed March 4/ 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet'l Frederick ELe y ,5 INVENTOR jkmrz ATTORNEYS WITNESS July 29, 1941. E. B. s'rkoM ETAL TRIMMING SPOUT Filed March 4, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ervj/ 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Had any/c7) El 0 BY WITNESS Patented July 29, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT oFrrcE-j Ervin- B. Strum, Great Falls. andzFrederick Lewis, Brady, Mont..

ApplicationMarch 4, 1941);seria1-No:-322;252:

1 Glaim. (01. 193-3) This invention relates to improvements in trimming spouts such as are used to" facilitate the loading of box cars; ships holds and the like with grain or similar material of small particle size.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel trimming spout which can be used in conjunction with conventional loading means whereby the flow of particles into the chamber to' be loaded can be controlled and directed to' a degree not heretofore possible.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide a novel trimming spout including replaceable lin ings which permit increase of useful life of the spout after wear which, with spouts of types now in use, would require replacement of the spout.

Another object of this invention isto providea trimming spout including a curved tubular discharge member having an extensible discharge element functioning inconjunction therewith whereby the efiective length and direction of discharge of particles-delivered through said member can be altered to suit conditions of use.

Anadvantage of the novel trimming' -spout according to this invention over other trimming spouts now in use is that in addition to a plurality ofadjustments possible for directing, diverting and controlling discharge of particles therethrough, means are provided for firmly holding the several structural elements of the spout in any one of several selected relationships corresponding to the adjustments.

Noteworthy among the features of the novel trimming spout according to this invention are its simplicity and ruggedness of construction, the first of which well adapts the device to manufacture under conditions of mass production and the second of which assures long useful life:

Other objects, advantages and features of the new and improved trimming spout according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in this art during the course of the following description.

Regarded in certain of its broader aspects the novel trimming spout according. to this invention comprises a first tubular member attachable at one end to a delivery outlet; a second tubular member mounted on the opposite end of said first member in a manner such that free rotation of said second member about the axis of said first member is permitted, the free end" of. said second member being bent away from the axis of said first member; means for controlling rotation of said second member with respect to said first member; a curved third tubular mem ber swingably mounted upon said second member and telescoping thereupon for altering the effective length of the bent portion of said second member; and meansfor holding said third memher in selected position relative to said second" member.

In order to faclitat'e a fuller and more complete understanding of the present invention a specific embodiment thereof herein illustrated will be hereinafterdescribe'd, it being clearl'y'understood, however,. that the illustrated embodiment; although presently preferred; is provided solely by way of example of the practice of this invention and not by way of limitation thereof except insofar as the invention is recited in the subjoined claim;

Referring now to the drawings:

Figure l is substantially a side elevati'onal view of the presently preferred embodiment of. this invention,

Fig. 2 is a top' plan View of the device illustrated in Fig. 1-, a portion of'thestructure being shown in cross sectional view and parts being omitted for clearness of illustration,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a trimming spout illustrated in Fig; 1,

Fig. 4 is a detail view partially in cross section showing internal structure of'parts of the trimming spout,- I

Fig. 5' is aside elevational-view of the bottom portion of the delivery spout, part of the device being illustrated in cross sectional View todisclose internal structure,

Fig. 6- is a transverse cross sectional view of Fig. 3 taken along the line 6-6 thereof,

- Fig. '7 is a side elevational view of amodifie'd form of the novel trimming spout according to this invention, and 1 Fig. 8' is a detailed view, partially in cross-section, of the locking means used for holdingparts of the device illustrated in Fig. 7- in selected: relationship.-

Referring now especially to Figs; 1 to 6' inclusive wherein the presently preferred embodi ment of this invention is illustrated it will be noted that the device generally designated by the reference character Ill comprises a frame generally indicated by the reference character It supporting a particle conduit 12 terminating in a trimming spout I3; I

The frame llcomprises a pair of spaced L-barsheld in spaced parallelism by braces 22 and mounted at one end on a plate 23 freely rotatably mounted by means of a pivot 23a upon the supporting plate. 24 connected by pivots 24a to the supporting brackets 25. A second pair of L-bars 21 and 28 connected by the pivots 20a, and 2l'a to the L-bars 20 and 2| respectively are held in spaced parallelism by cross braces 29 and can be locked in a plane substantially common to the plane of the L-bars 20 and 21 by swinging dogs 21a and 28a mounted on. the bars 21 and: 28

respectively adapted to engage with end portions,"

of the bars 20 and 2|. Pivots 30= serve freely tionship shown in the drawings.

The conduit 4!] which is provided with a removable, replaceable liner 4| carries near its upper end a band 42 rigidly connected to the conduit and to a chain 42a which extends down wardly from the band engaging with fastening means 42a. whereby the conduit can be tilted about the axis of the pivots to suit conditions of use. The top end of the conduit is adapted to engage with the delivery outlet of the loading means with which the device isto be used. A flange 43 fixedly mounted uponthe conduit 46] is provided with circumfer'entially' spaced radially extending openings 44' which engage with parts of the device as will herein-' after be more clearly apparent.

A second tubular conduit is mounted upon the bottom end of the conduit 48 by means of an expanded end portion 5| of the conduit 58 which receives the end of the conduit 40 and which by means of an inturned edge portion 5|a engages with the flange 43 in a manner such that free rotation of the conduit 50 about the axis of the conduit 48 is permitted. It is to be noted that the free end portion 50a of the conduit 56 is bent away from the axis of the conduit 40' and that the conduit is lined along the side most distant from its axis of curvature with a removable replaceable lining 52. A V-shaped frame 53 is fixedly attached to the sides of the conduit 50 and is arranged in a manner such that the apex of the frame includes the axis of curvature of the conduit.

A bell crank lever 54 urged by spring pressing means 55 is mounted upon one of the arms of the frame 53 and is provided with a projecting end portion 54a which, passing through an opening formed in the side of the flared end portion 5| of the conduit 50 engages with the openings 44 formed in the fixed flange 43 carried on the conduit 43 whereby relative rotation of the conduits 40 and 50 can be controlled and restricted.

A segment shaped conduit provided along its inner surface most distant from its axis of curvature with a removable, replaceable lining 6| is carried upon a frame 62 swingably mounted upon the frame 53 by a pivot pin 63, the ends of the pin being threaded to receive manually operable locking bolts 64 which, acting .to compress the frame parts against each other, serve to limit and control relative motion of the conduits 60 and 53. It is to be noted that in effect the segment shaped conduit 60 serves to increase the useful length of the conduit 50 but permits upon occasion swinging or telescoping of the conduit BUba-ck upon the conduit 50 to decrease the effective length of the latter. It is to be noted further that the mouth of the conduit 60 generally designated by the reference character 35 is of modified pentagonal shape wherein the pentagon side most remote from the axis of curvature of the segment shaped conduit is rounded outwardly essentially as shown.

the chain 42a to the proper angle. It will be recalled that the entire assembly is swingable upon the pivot 23a and so can be adjusted additionally by this means. It further will be recalled that the conduit 55 is swingable about the axis of the conduit 40 and this swinging motion may be restricted when the proper ad- I justment has been attained by engagement of the end portion 54a of the arm 54 with the openings 44 formed in the flange 43. The angle of delivery from the spout further can be adjusted by increasing or diminishing the effective length of the conduit 50 by telescoping or extending the conduit 60 with respect thereto. When, after extended use, the linings 4|, 52 and El are worn, the same can be removed and replaced, thereby increasing the useful life of the spout.

A modifled'form of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 will now be described. In this embodiment of the invention a curved conduit 'ifl is provided corresponding to the conduit 55 hereinabove described and on this conduit a frame H is mounted carrying a segment shaped conduit extension member 12 supported upon a frame 13 connected to the frame H by a pivot pin 14. An arm 15 mounted upon the frame carries an arcuately curved rack '16 having an inner surface toothed as designated by the reference character 16a. An arm l1 mounted upon the segment shaped conduit 12 carries a sliding latch member 18 engaging with the teeth 16a and urged by spring pressing means 7:; into engagement therewith as will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings. A stop 16b is provided on the free end of the raclc 76 to limit motion of the arm 17 with respect thereto. In this embodiment of the present invention the adjustment of the spout extension is of course effectuated by disengaging the spring pressed latch from the teeth of the rack and moving the segment shaped conduit. When the proper relationship has been established between the conduits the latch is released and, engaging with the teeth of the rack, secures the several parts in the selected relation.

It is to be understood that this invention is capable of extended application and is not confined to the precise illustrated forms nor described construction and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope of the appended claim,

Having thus described the present invention, what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is A trimming spout, comprising a straight tubular member, a second tubular member free to rotate on the first tubular member and adjustably held thereon, the outer end of the second .tubular member being curved, a curved tubular member telescoping on the curved end of the second tubular member, a Y-shaped bracket having its arms secured to the straight portion Having thus described the structural features space to be filled and is adjusted by means of of the second tubular member, a Y-shaped bracket having its arms secured to the curved telescoping member and the stems of the Y- shaped brackets pivotally connected together, and a segment pivotally connected to the straight portion of the second tubular member and having an adjustable connection with the inner end of the curved telescoping tubular member.

ERVIN B. STROM, FREDERICK F. LEWIS. 

